Sacrifice

 1 John 3:16 ESV

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 


Jesus literally laid down his life for us. He was crucified for our deliverance. We may not have to die for our brothers and sisters in the faith, but we are to be prepared to.

I'm reminded of the famous story of the prisoners of war of the Japanese who were all going to be killed for a missing shovel. The Christian claimed he was responsible and was killed instead of everyone. It turned out however that the guard had simply miscounted! 

As the Christian laid down his life for his fellow prisoners, so we are to be prepared to die for our brethren. I don't think John is just saying we have to do extravagant acts of sacrifice. I'm sure he wants us to live for one another, as well as being willing to die for each others' sake.

Laying down our lives might not just mean to be killed for others. It could mean smaller, day to day sacrifices. It's like a poor parent going without food so that their children can eat.

'Dear Lord, please teach us what it is to truly love. May we meditate on Christ's example, in whose name we pray, amen'.

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